The best 6-Days Kilimanjaro’s Climb in Marangu Route Complete Itinerary
6-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Marangu Route – Complete Itinerary
The Marangu Route is one of the most popular routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro due to its relatively moderate gradient, hut accommodations, and well-established paths. Often referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route, it provides the most direct path to the summit. A 6-day itinerary via Marangu is ideal because the extra day allows for proper acclimatization, increasing your chances of successfully reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
6-Day Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Climb
Target Audience: Adventure seekers, hikers, and travelers looking for Kilimanjaro climbs with moderate difficulty.
Key Search Terms: Kilimanjaro climb, 6-day Marangu Route, Kilimanjaro via Marangu, Kilimanjaro trekking itineraries, best Kilimanjaro routes.
Benefits of Marangu Route: Huts for accommodation, gradual ascent profile, well-maintained trails, scenic views, and diverse ecosystems.
Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Elevation: 1,870m (6,135ft) to 2,720m (8,923ft)
Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Description: Your trek begins at Marangu Gate after registration. You hike through the lush rainforest, home to a variety of wildlife, including the black-and-white Colobus monkeys. The trail is well-maintained, and you will reach Mandara Hut in the afternoon. There is an optional walk to Maundi Crater for panoramic views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania.
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 2,720m (8,923ft) to 3,720m (12,205ft)
Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Description: Leaving the rainforest, you’ll enter the heather and moorland zone, with views of Mawenzi Peak and Kibo. The trail becomes steeper as you approach Horombo Hut, where you’ll spend the night. This hut provides stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut
Elevation: 3,720m (12,205ft)
Optional Acclimatization Hike: Up to 4,000m (13,123ft) towards Mawenzi Hut
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours (optional)
Description: This acclimatization day is crucial to help your body adjust to the altitude. You can take an optional hike towards Mawenzi Hut and return to Horombo Hut. The day is designed to improve your summit success rate by giving you time to adapt to the thin air at higher altitudes.
Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Elevation: 3,720m (12,205ft) to 4,703m (15,430ft)
Distance: 10 km (6 miles)
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Description: The trek across the Saddle, a barren desert-like landscape between Mawenzi and Kibo, can be challenging due to the altitude and exposure. The trail ascends steadily until you reach Kibo Hut at the base of Kibo Peak, where you’ll rest and prepare for your midnight summit attempt.
Day 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak, then Descend to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 4,703m (15,430ft) to 5,895m (19,341ft) (Uhuru Peak), then descend to 3,720m (12,205ft)
Distance: 6 km (3.5 miles) ascent, 15 km (9.5 miles) descent
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours (6-8 hours ascent, 4-7 hours descent)
Habitat: Arctic (at the summit), Alpine Desert
Description: The final ascent begins around midnight. You’ll first reach Gilman’s Point (5,681m) on the crater rim after a steep, exhausting climb through loose volcanic scree. From there, it’s a long but rewarding trek to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After a brief celebration and photo session, you’ll descend back to Kibo Hut for rest before continuing down to Horombo Hut.
Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Elevation: 3,720m (12,205ft) to 1,870m (6,135ft)
Distance: 20 km (12.5 miles)
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Heathland, then Rainforest
Description: After breakfast, you begin your final descent. You’ll trek back through the heathland and the lush rainforest before reaching Marangu Gate. Here, you’ll sign out and collect your summit certificates – green for reaching Gilman’s Point and gold for reaching Uhuru Peak. Transport will be waiting to take you back to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Inclusions
Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Clean, purified drinking water
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
Sleeping Mattress
All meals while on the Mountain
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Kilimanjaro summit certificate
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Exclusions
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
Tanzania Visa
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Travel insurance
International and domestic flights
Tips and gratuities
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Highlights of the 6-Day Marangu Route
Acclimatization Day: The extra day at Horombo Hut is designed to help with acclimatization, improving your chances of reaching the summit.
Hut Accommodations: Unlike other routes that require camping, Marangu offers huts at Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo for shelter, providing beds, solar lighting, and basic amenities.
Diverse Ecosystems: From the lush rainforest at the start to the arctic zone at the summit, this route takes you through some of the most diverse landscapes on Kilimanjaro.
Challenging but Doable: Although considered a less technical route, the Marangu Route is still demanding due to the rapid altitude gain, especially on summit day.
